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1975 el camino with battery issue
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zboy56
User
Nov 23, 2012, 10:57 PM
Post #1 of 10
(1948 views)
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1975 el camino with battery issue
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i have been having a problem a problem with 1975 el camino's battery going dead after it sits without being started for a few and was wondering if there is a way to test what could be draining the battery without taking it to a shop?
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dmac0923
Enthusiast
Nov 23, 2012, 11:58 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1923 views)
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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how long is the car sitting, you said a few...but didnt specify....hours days, months, years???? i would have your battery and charging system load tested. because a good battery should be able to hold a charge even with a minor interior light or similiar draw.
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 24, 2012, 12:14 AM
Post #3 of 10
(1921 views)
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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with something that old, a quick test you could do would be to take the positive or negative battery cable off, get a test light, clip the lead onto the battery terminal and then touch the cable end with the probe. If it lights up then you have a draw. You can go to the fuse box and start pulling fuses one at a time. When you find which fuse turns the light out, then that is the circuit with the problem.
Like dmac said, check all the lights & obvious stuff 1st, make sure nothing is staying on. It that is all good, then grab your test light & roll up your sleeves....
(This post was edited by Sidom on Nov 24, 2012, 12:15 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 24, 2012, 4:22 AM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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Draws were pretty easy to find on that old stuff because they didn't have any modules operating in the background. It's usually a light staying on in the glove box or something like that that isn't obvious. Some had a delay for the interior lights that didn't always shut off.The alternator can also cause a pretty big draw so try disconnecting that too. Have the battery tested before doing anything to make sure you are dealing with a good battery.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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zboy56
User
Nov 24, 2012, 9:23 AM
Post #5 of 10
(1893 views)
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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sorry i meant to say a few days and it has a new battery i had buy one this fall before i could move it to my garage
(This post was edited by zboy56 on Nov 24, 2012, 9:25 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 24, 2012, 9:50 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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If you let the draw totally drain the battery, then you might be buying another one too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 24, 2012, 10:43 AM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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zboy56: If not any form of a daily driver you should get a battery disconnect that is quick and easy. Just reset clock and radio stations is about it. Other is a constant battery maintainer that automatically comes on and off keeping battery at full charge.
As Hammer said the battery could already be junk newer or not. Plain lead acid never mind recycled junk now common* can't take any crap. If it was a deal it wasn't.
Still check and find the drain. It would normally go a few weeks or more if nothing was bothering it and shouldn't. Hmmm - 1975 - what items still have battery power when all is shut down? Already mentioned are things like glove box lights. Any funky features on this that a rare few might have like vanity lights, map light(s), hood light - anything like that? Plenty of 'mercury' switches that can lose their position and a little light can take down the whole battery.
Probably something silly but who knows? Alternator can pull a minor issue and drain or battery itself can have a hairline short and go dead if out of the car even. Dead meaning nothing for voltage - zero, nada.
If for any reason a totally dead battery can get much below 32F it will freeze which can plain crack the case or not recover at all.
Chances are still a parasitic drain to be found but more issues with battery possible,
T
* Note: Do recycle eveything you can. Finding that assorted metals don't always get a perfect job in the process and should. Literally virgin lead batteries if claimed are nasty expensive and shouldn't be necessary.....
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zboy56
User
Nov 28, 2012, 2:28 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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well guys sorry i haven't messaged you back but i was busy, i have checked to see if any lights were staying on after the car was off and none do. I also tested like was suggested with the test light and that got nothing but i think i will just wait for spring and check stuff then because the garage i have the car is barely big enough to fit it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 28, 2012, 2:57 PM
Post #9 of 10
(1843 views)
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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Thanks for getting back. If this is to wait or sit till Spring I would charge battery and at least disconnect the neg cable. If it freezes where stored take it out so if it decides to crack and make an acid mess it wont be in the car/truck....
T
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zboy56
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Nov 29, 2012, 9:18 AM
Post #10 of 10
(1830 views)
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Re: 1975 el camino with battery issue
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tom i have taken the battery out of the vehicle and put it in a battery box inside my house for now
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